Do you like VLC on your iPhone or iPad? You don't yet have it installed, but want to? Well, then you'd better be quick about it, as some VLC contributors are unhappy with the fact that VLC is distributed through Apple's App Store, violating the GPL the video player is licensed under. At least, that's what some think.

This isn't about restricting what software can run on your device (Tivoization). It's about placing additional restrictions on how you can use and/or distribute a program licensed under the GPL. It has nothing to do with Tivoization.

GPLv2 section 6:

Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.

Apple does what the part in bold forbids. How can I make this any clearer and simpler? Use my fcuking caps lock key?

Apple does what the part in bold forbids. How can I make this any clearer and simpler? Use my fcuking caps lock key?

It's not entirely clear to everybody. E.g. red hat provides srpms for rhel but doesn't allow you to distribute the binary rpms. It's a common view that as long as you provide source code and don't limit how the recipient uses that, you are compliant with the GPL.

So even if someone doesn't "get it", he's not completely clueless. Personally, I'm not sure I understand this nuance of GPL yet either.

This isn't about restricting what software can run on your device (Tivoization). It's about placing additional restrictions on how you can use and/or distribute a program licensed under the GPL. It has nothing to do with Tivoization.

GPLv2 section 6:

"Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.

Apple does what the part in bold forbids. How can I make this any clearer and simpler? Use my fcuking caps lock key? "

Using your caps lock still won't make you right. I can install a copy of the app on unlimited devices from the app store. This is just developer(s) that don't understand the GPL v2 whining. You can copy the app by syncing it to itunes, and then to another device. This is such a non-issue that it is pathetic.